Game apparatus



c. P. MODICA GAME APPARATUS.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 22, 1963 Filed Jan. 25, 1961 C. P. MODICA GAME APPARATUS Jan. 22, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 23, 1961 Il l 3,074,718 GAME APPARATUS Charles I. Modica, 222 N. Grove St., Freeport, ill. Filed Jan. 23, 1961, Ser. No. 84,316 '7 Claims. (til. 273-1) This invention relates to an amusement apparatus and particularly to a guessing game.

An important object to this invention is to provide a novel guessing game in which the number of elements in a group of such elements must be estimated, and 1n which the elements are contained in a receptacle so arranged that the accuracy of the estimate of diiierent groups of elements can be improved through skill and experience with the game.

Another object of this invention is to provide a guessing game in which a multiplicity of elements are contained in a transparent receptacle to enable visual observation of the mass of elements in the receptacle, and in which the receptacle is so arranged as to impede reliable counting of the elements so that 4the number of elements must be estimated primarily by the depth or level of the mass of elements in the receptacle.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a game device including a transparent receptacle containing a multiplicity of elements loosely disposed therein, and which device has graduations arranged to facilitate estimating of the number of elements in the receptacle through measurement of the depth or level of the elements when the receptacle is in diiferent positions.

A more particular object of this invention is to provide a guessing game device including a transparent receptacle having a multiplicity of elements therein, and which receptacle has means extending thereinto for displacing elements in the receptacle to prevent nesting of the elements in uniform layers, and in wh-ich the displacement means is positioned so as to displace a relatively different number of elements when the receptacle is in one position than when it is in another to thereby vary the depth or level of the elements in the receptacle in different positions of the same.

These, together with various ancillary objects and advantages of this invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. l is a plan layout of the bottom and side Walls of the transparent receptacle;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the top of the receptacle;

FIG. 3 is a sectional View through the receptacle, taken on the plane 3-3 of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view through the receptacle, taken on the plane 4 4 of FlG. l;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modied form of receptacle with the cover removed;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the underside of the cover;

FiG. 7 is a sectional View through the receptacle of FIG. 5 taken on the plane 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional View through the game device taken on the plane S-S of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 9 is a perspect-ive view of a removable insert for use in the receptacle.

The game device of the present invention includes a receptacle 1t) having a removable cover 11, and which receptacle is partially filled with a multiplicity of identical elements, such as spherical balls i2. The game device is used in a guessing game, the object of which game is to estimate as accurately as possible the number of elements in the receptacle. After each player has had a turn estimating the number of elements in the receptacle, the elements are removed from the receptacle and counted, and the deviation of the individual players estimates from the actual number is then recorded. The receptacle is then partially reiilled with a different unknown number of elements, and the several players then take turns estimating the number of elements in the second group, etc. At the end of a preselected number of games, the scores of the several players are totalled. Necessarily, that player having the lowest total deviatio-n from the actual number of elements in the receptacle during each game is the Winner.

The receptacle is formed of a transparent material such as plastic, or at least is formed with large transparent areas in the side Walls to enable visual observation of the mass of elements Within the receptacle. The receptacle is advantageously formed of a rectangular shape, and is preferably formed in the shape of a cube having equal sides, as shown in the drawings, and the receptacle includes a bottom Wall 2l and side Walls 22-25 and a top wall 26. In the form shown in FIGS. l-4, the bottom and side Walls are molded in one piece of transparent plastic and the top Wall 26 is removably mounted on the side walls to enable introduction and withdraw-al of the groups of elements 1.2 from the receptacle. The cover may be detachably mounted on the side Walls in any desired manner and, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the side Walls of the receptacle are formed with an external rabbet 28 which receives a depending peripheral ange 29 on the cover. This arrangement is advantageous in that it provides smooth internal and external walls on the receptacle and facilitates positioning of the receptacle in any desired position. In order to prevent accurate counting of the elements in the receptacle, as by counting the elements in a row and then counting the number of rows, the internal cavity formed by the walls of the receptacle is preferably dimensioned with respect to the size of the elements 12 therein so that it is neither a multiple of the diameter of the spherical elements, or a multiple plus one half of the diameter of the elements, to thereby prevent the elements from stacking or nesting in uniform layers on the receptacle. In order to further increase the indeiiniteness as to the number of elements in the receptacle, a means is mounted in fixed relation to the receptacle to extend thereinto and displace a number of elements in the receptacle dependent on the degree to which the displacement means is immersed in the receptacle. These displacement means are preferably loc-ated on each of the walls of the receptacle so that some of the displacement means are immersed in the balls, either Wholly or in part, in each position of the receptacle.

In order to `facilitate molding of the bottom 1an-d side Walls of the receptacle in one piece with conventional type molding equipment, the displacement means is advantageously in the form of a plurality of spaced ribs on the inner surface of the several walls of the receptacle. The ribs may have any suitable configuration and size, but are each arranged to extend toward the open side of the receptacle, and, in addition, those on the side walls 22,-24 must extend completely to the bottom 21 in order to enable withdrawal of the mold. In the form shown, a set of spaced ribs 32 is formed on the wall 22. These ribs have a generally triangular conguration as viewed from the side, and as shown in FIG. 3, and the ribs extend from a point below the upper end of the receptacle downwardly to the bottom Wall '21. A -different set of ribs 33 is formed on the side wall 23 and as shown in FIG. 4, the ribs of this set have a rectangular cross-section and the upper ends of the ribs terminate in staggered generally V-shaped conguration. A different set of ribs 34 is formed on the side Wall 24 and, as shownin FIG. 3 the ribs 'dhave -a triangularconguration that extends from the top of the receptacle to the'bottom wall'21. Ribs 3S are formed on the side wall 25, and which ribs have a rectangular configuration as shown in FIG. '4 and terminate .at their upper ends in a generally wedge shaped arrangement. The displacement means at the 'bottom of the receptacle is also conveniently in the form of spaced ribs, in order to Vconserve material and, as shown, the ribs have a rectangular configuration and "theends of'the ribs terminate in a circle to dene agen'erally cylindrical body on'the `bottom Wall. Ribs'36 arefformed on the underside of the top wall and have a semi-circular configuration with the ends thereof terminating'in ya circle to define a semiespherical body. Obviously, 'the Yparticular configuration of the ribs and `their arrangement can be varied as desired. However, the ribs` of each set are` preferably located sufciently Aclose to'gether'to prevent passage .of the ball elements therebetween. Thus,.the ribs eitectively dene displacement Vbodies having a configuration correspondingto the Vexternal coniiguration of the set of ribs. Since the ribs on the bottom rand side'walls extend upwardly .toward the open top, andthe ribs on the top wall extend toward'the openside thereof, it is apparent .that the vvmolds can be easilywthdrawn so that the receptacle can -be readily formed Vwith .conventional plastic molding equipment.

As shown 'in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ribs project into the cavity in the receptacle land certain ofthe ribs are wholly or partially immersed in the ballelements 1.2 therein. The ribs prevent the ball elements from stacking in uniform rows and, in addition, kdisplace a certain number of the elements, depending upon the extent to which the ribs are submerged so that the .upper level of the ball elements in the lreceptacle 'is determined in .part by the number of elements in the receptacle and also in .part by which of lthe ribs are Wholly or partially immersed in the mass of ball elements. This is advantageous in that it introduces a certain indeiniteness to the game which enhances kits interest. In addition, since the sets of ribs on the several walls are dilferently shaped and accordingly displaced different numbers of elements when immersed in the mass of elements in the receptacle, it is apparent that the'depth or level of the mass of elements will vary dependent on the position of the receptacle, that is whether it is positioned on its top, bottom or one of the side Walls. In some positions of the receptacle, the number of elements in the mass which are -displaced by the ribs may be such that the upper layer of elements is only partially filled, thereby markedly increasing the problem of accurately estimating the number of elements by measurement ofthe upper level of the mass of elements. However, since the diierent sets of ribs displace different numbers of elements, it is frequently possible to nd a different position of the receptacle in which the ribs displace a greater' or lesser number of elements and in which the upper layer of the mass of elements is more nearly a complete layer.

In order to facilitate estimating the depth or -level of the ball elements in the receptacle, in different positions thereof the receptacle is advantageously [formed with dif- -ferent sets of relatively parallel graduations. In the form shown, one set of graduations designated 4d is formed on one of the side walls such as 25 yto extend generally parallel to the bottom wall 2l anda second set of graduations ldesignated 42'is formed on a different side Wall such as 23 to extend generally parallel to the top wall 26. In addition, a set of graduations such as 43 is formed on one of the side wal-ls such as 22 to extend diagonally of a the side wall and en'able measurement of the upper level of the mass of balls when the receptacle isy positioned on one corner and, if desired a fourth set of graduations such as 44 may be provide-d on the other side wall 24 to enable measurement of the depth of the mass of balls when the receptacle is positioned on a diiferent edge. Advantageously, certain sets of graduations such :as 41 and 44 may be spaced apart -a distance corresponding to the average spacing between adjacent layers of ball elements whenV the latter aredisposed in vthe receptacle, toen'able estimating of the approximate numberof layersof ball elements therein and, othersiof the -sets'of graduation's such as 42. and 43 may have a spacing relativelydiierent ftrom the spacing between adjacent'layers f `elements`inthe mass of elements -so that thecorrelation 'between'these last mentioned sets of graduations and Ythe number of ball elements in the receptacle can lb'e 'determined only through experience and skill'with't'hefgame. In order-'to help the user identify the position f'thevrece'ptacle `in which the reading is beingtakemthesevena'l'wallsof'the receptacle are preferablyidentiiiedby a vsuitable indicia. As shown, the bottom wall 21, theside walls 2Z2`5and the top wall `26`are respectively designatedby theletters A, B,'C, D,'E and'F. n

A modified form of receptacle is :illustrated 'in FIGS. 5-8. This receptacle is also in the 'for'rn'of a cube'having a'bottom wall V51, sidewalls 542-55 Tand "a `t`pwall "556. .The receptacle maybe molded in 'one piece 'of a'tr'aisparent material or, alternatively, the bottom, lsides 'and top wall may -be formed of separate sheets "which ar'e secured together as by suitable adhesives orthelik'e. The cover is detachably mounted on the sidewalls, and, as shown, locating .pins 57 and V58 are provided on the side walls and are arranged to extend through openings 59 and 60 on vthe cover to attach the same to the side walls in a preselected position. As in the previous embodiment, a group of ball elements designated v6l are disposed within tre receptacle, and, as apparent from `FIG. 7, the internal cavity formed in the receptacle is dimensioned with respect to the'ball elements so Tthat the ball elements do not tend to stack in uniform layers therein.' y1n addition, displacement bodies are also mounted on the-several side Walls, and on the top and bottom walls and are so arranged that one or more of the displacement bodies are vwholly or partially immersed in the mass of elements, in all positions of the receptacle. The displacement -bodies can be of any suitable shape and, as shown, agenerally semi-spherical block 71 is mounted on the bottom wall 51; a rectangular .block 72 on the wall 52; a semicylindrical block V73) on Y.the wall 53; a triangular block 74 on the wall 54 and a triangular block 7S on lthe wall 55. A diiferent triangular block 76 is mounted on the top Wall 56. The several displacement bodies may be molded integrally with the respective side walls if desired. However, if the side and bottom walls are molded in one piece in the form of an open' topped receptacle, it is desirable to `form the bodies separate from the side walls in order to enable the use of conventional molding equipment. The displacement bodies may be adhesively secu-red to the side walls or, as shown, the bodies may be each formed with a suitably shaped key element designated 712-'76a respectively and which extend into corresponding openings in the side Walls tosecure the respective displacement bodies in a preselected position therein. Conveniently, the keys can be shaped in accordance with the shape of the respective displacement bodies, as kshown in FIG. 5, to assure mounting of each of the displacement bodies on lthe proper side wall and in the preselected position therein.

Here as in the preceding embodiment, different sets of graduations are preferably provided on'the side Walls. As shown in FIG. 5, one vset of graduations `81 extends parallel to one of the side walls such as 54 and a second set of graduations 82 extends parallel to a different sijde Wall such as 52. In addition, diagonally extending graduations such as 83 and 84 are provided on other side walls to enable measurement of the depth of the mass of balls in the receptacle, when the latter is positioned on one edge.

A removable displacement body is illustrated in FIG. 9 and is arranged so that it may be inserted and removed lfrom a receptacle to introduce an additional variable and add further interest to the game. As shown, the displacement body 91 is suspended by means of rods 92 and 93 on corner posts 94, and which corner posts are adapted to be received in the corners of a receptacle. The :displacement body is eccentrically positioned with respect to its corner posts so that it will displace a relatively different number of elements in different positions of a receptacle. As is apparent, the displacement body 91 of FIG. 9 may be added to the receptacle shown in the embodiments of FIGS. l-4 or the embodiments of FIGS. 5-8 to supplement the displacement bodies therein. If desired, one or all of the displacement bodies such as 71-74 on the side walls of the receptacle of FIGS. 5-8 can be removed from the side walls, when the displacement body 93 is positioned therein.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction and use of the game device will be readily understood. The receptacle is initially filled with an unknown number Iof elements and is then passed around to the several players to allow each player an opportunity to estimate the number of elements in the receptacle. When the receptacle is in the form of a cube as shown in the drawings, the difference in the level of the mass of elements in the receptacle, in different positions of the latter, will be due primarily to the different displacement bodies that are immersed in the mass of elements when the receptacle is in that position. Through experience, the players can acquire skill in estimating the number of elements in a receptacle by measuring the depth of the mass of elements and knowing the effect of the displacement bodies when the receptacle is in that particular position. The graduations enable the user to measure the depth of the mass of elements in various different positions, including diagonal positions. Since the displacement elements have diierent effective volumes, it will be appreciated that the upper layer of the mass of elements may be more completely filled when the receptacle is in some positions than in others so tha-t it may be advantageous for the player to move the receptacle to various different positions to find that position in which he can most easily make an accurate estimation of the number of elements. Alternatively, the player can average the estimates that he makes when the receptacle is in several different positions, in order to reach the final estimate of the number of elements.

In order to enable the players to develop skill of the game, it is desirable to maintain uniformity of the arrangement and position of the displacement elements on the body. In the form shown in FIGS. 1 4, the displacement bodies are formed integrally with the side and bottom walls. The top wall is formed in the shape of a semi-sphere which is centrally located on the cover so that it is not necessary to orient the cover with respect to the receptacle when mounting the same thereon. In the form shown in FIGS. 5-8, the displacement bodies are removable. However, these bodies are keyed to the side walls so that they can only be positioned on a particular one of the side walls and then only in a preselected position therein. 'Ihe cover 56 has a triangularly shaped body 76 mounted thereon and the pins 57 and 58 are positioned so that the cover can only be mounted on the receptacle in one position, to assure proper orientation of the body 76 with respect to the receptacle.

Iclaim:

l. A game device for use in estimating the number of elements in a group of elements comprising, a transparent enclosed receptacle having a removable cover,

6 a multiplicity of identical elements loosely disposed within the receptacle and only partially filling the same, said receptacle defining an internal cavity which is large as compared to the dimensions of individual ones of said elements so that the elements are free to move in all directions within the receptacle, a iirst set of relatively parallel graduations on the side of the receptacle adapted to extend horizontally and generally parallel to the upper level of the elements inthe receptacle when the receptacle is in one position, at least one other set of relatively parallel graduations on the side of the receptacle adapted to extend horizontally and generally parallel to the upper level of the elements in the receptacle when the receptacle is in a second position and means within the receptacle dening at least one body having a fixed relation to the receptacle and positioned to displace a relatively different number of elements when the receptacle is in said one position than when the receptacle is in said second position.

2. A game device for use in estimating the number of elements in a group of elements comprising, an enclosed receptacle having transparent side walls and a removable cover, a multiplicity of identical elements disposed in the receptacle and only partially lling the same, said receptacle defining an internal cavity which is large as compared to the dimensions of an individual one of the elements so that the elements are free to move in any direction within the receptacle, and means disposed within the receptacle defining at least one body having a fixed position in the receptacle and positioned eccentrically therein to displace a relatively different number of elements when the receptacle is in one position than when the receptacle is turned about a horizontal axis to a relatively -difierent position.

3. A game device for use in estimating the number of elements in a group of elements comprising, an enclosed receptacle having transparent side walls and a removable cover, a multiplicity of identical elements disposed in the receptacle and only partially filling the same, said receptacle defining an internal cavity which is large as compared to the dimensions of an individual one of the elements so that the elements are free to move in any direction within the receptacle, a body suspended within the receptacle in fixed relation to the sides thereof and positioned eccentrically therein to displace a relatively different number of elements when the receptacle is in one position than when the receptacle is turned about a horizontal axis to a diterent position.

4. A game device for use in estimating the number of elements in a group of elements comprising, an enclosed receptacle having transparent side walls and a removable cover, a multiplicity of identical elements disposed -in the receptacle and only partially filling the same, said receptacle defining an internal cavity which is large as Compared -to the dimensions of individual Iones lof the elements so that the elements are free to move in any direction within the receptacle, a plurality of bodies on the side walls of the receptacle and extending into the receptacle from different sides thereof whereby to displace a relatively different number of elements when the receptacle is in one position than when it is turned about a horizontal axis to a different position.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said bodies are detachably mounted on the side walls of the receptacle.

6. The combination of claim 2 wherein said means comprise a plurality of ribs on .at least one wall of the receptacle, said ribs being spaced apart a distan-ce less than the width of individual ones of said elements to prevent nesting of the elements between adjacent ribs.

7. A game device for use in estimating the number of elements in a group of elements comprising, a rectangular receptacle having transparent side walls, an open top, and a removable cover for closing the top, a multiplicity of ball elements of equal size disposed within the receptacle and partially lling the same, and a set of ribs on at least apartv a 'distance leS-s `than the'diameterbf the ball vele- Refefellcs Cited in the fue 0f this Patent piegfts lt9prevnt'nesting-ofthe b'all velrnents betweenl af- 5 UNITED ,STATS PATENTS Jacent'rlbs whereby each'set'of rlbs denesra vbody wnhm tig-62.778 Fldhake u Sept 8' 1959 

1. A GAME DEVICE FOR USE IN ESTIMATING THE NUMBER OF ELEMENTS IN A GROUP OF ELEMENTS COMPRISING, A TRANSPARENT ENCLOSED RECEPTACLE HAVING A REMOVABLE COVER, A MULTIPLICITY OF IDENTICAL ELEMENTS LOOSELY DISPOSED WITHIN THE RECEPTACLE AND ONLY PARTIALLY FILLING THE SAME, SAID RECEPTACLE DEFINING AN INTERNAL CAVITY WHICH IS LARGE AS COMPARED TO THE DIMENSIONS OF INDIVIDUAL ONES OF SAID ELEMENTS SO THAT THE ELEMENTS ARE FREE TO MOVE IN ALL DIRECTIONS WITHIN THE RECEPTACLE, A FIRST SET OF RELATIVELY PARALLEL GRADUATIONS ON THE SIDE OF THE RECEPTACLE ADAPTED TO EXTEND HORIZONTALLY AND GENERALLY PARALLEL TO THE UPPER LEVEL OF THE ELEMENTS IN THE RECEPTACLE WHEN THE RECEPTACLE IS IN ONE POSITION, AT LEAST ONE OTHER SET OF RELATIVELY 